Reverse Mortgage MN - What to Consider When Talking to Lenders

What to Consider When Talking With Reverse Mortgage Lenders

Although the basic terms and fees of the FHA reverse mortgage and proprietary programs (when available) are essentially identical regardless of the lender or originator, there is a difference in lenders and lenders with their knowledge and experience with reverse mortgages along with the customer service they provide.

Things to consider when talking with Reverse Mortgage lenders (list is long but all are important questions):

How much experience does the Loan Officer/Originator/Reverse Mortgage Specialist/Advisor have with reverse mortgages (not just conventional mortgages as they are quite different)?

Work with experienced reverse mortgage lenders who specialize in reverse mortgages. Ask how many years they have been originating and if/what training they have received.

How many reverse mortgage loans has the Loan Officer/Originator/Reverse Mortgage Specialist/Advisor done?

Experienced loan officers have originated hundreds of loans. Ask how many they have originated, not just their company or lender, but them personally.

Is the company FHA licensed? (Only FHA licensed lenders can do reverse mortgages.)

Ask your originator to provide a document that they are FHA licensed.

Do the mortgage company and Loan Officer have the required state licensing?

In Minnesota all individual mortgage loan officers (performing marketing, educating, originating functions) have to have completed 15 hours in training and receive a certificate – ask to see their copy (banks and credit unions are excluded).

Do they offer all reverse mortgage programs available for FHA’s HECM and when available, proprietary (private)?

Experienced originators should offer and be familiar with all the various programs available.

Do they assist you in determining which program is most suitable for your needs?

Experienced originators should discuss the various programs and help you to assess the program most suitable for your needs.

Do they just try to “sell” the program to you or do they help you determine if the program is appropriate for your situation?

An originator should not pressure you or sell you a particular program, they should discuss the various programs and have YOUR best interests at heart.

Will they meet with you face-to-face for an information session and the application? Or do they just mail you the application package?

Because of the complexities of the program, originators should meet with you face-to-face to complete the application package. These sessions normally take around 2 hours to review all the documentation and insure you understand what you are signing. Don’t sign a package that is mailed to you – find an experienced local lender to work with you.

Do they disclose ALL information and identify ALL costs, explaining the program(s) and details and terms accurately and clearly so you understand them?

Originators should be willing to disclose and discuss all information regarding reverse mortgages in terms and a way so you understand them. They should welcome your questions and be able to answer them to help ensure you have an understanding.

Do they know what costs are not allowed by FHA?

HUD regulates the fees and a mark-up of fees are not allowed - you should only be paying the actual cost of the service. Your originator should know which fees are allowed by HUD and which aren’t. They should fight for you if a title company is charging processing fees. (Many charge processing fees without the lender or originator addressing it with their title company.) The cost of the appraisal should be their actual charge – ask them what they charge, the settlement statement should reflect this actual amount. (Proprietary products, when available, followed these same guidelines.)

Where are their loans processed?

Your loan should be processed in an office where they can provide a personal touch vs sending them across the country to a processing center.

How fast do they process their reverse mortgage loans?

Because the rates can change so quickly, processing (application to closing) should be able to be completed in 30 to 45 days under normal circumstances. If additional documents are needed from you and you don’t provide them, the processing could take longer.

Who does the processing of the reverse mortgage loans? Does the processor have experience processing reverse mortgages, not just conventional mortgages? How much experience does the Loan Officer/Reverse Mortgage Specialist/Advisor have with processing and solving the issues that arise during processing?

Because reverse mortgages are different than forward mortgages, the processor should have experience with reverse mortgages. Loan Officers should also have an understanding of the processing and assist in solving any issues that arise during the processing – they should not just be focused on getting the sale and then moving on.

What type of customer service do they provide? Do they have testimonials and/or references?

Experienced originators should pride themselves on their customer service and be able to provide testimonials and references – ask for them.

Will they (the Loan Officer/Reverse Mortgage Specialist/Advisor) answer questions and continue to provide customer service once the loan is closed?

Originators customer service should include being available even after the loan is closed. If they don’t have a lot of experience and/or they move from one lender to another you may not get your future questions answered.

Does the Loan Officer/Reverse Mortgage Specialist/Advisor have the knowledge and experience on how the reverse mortgage and other Minnesota programs interact? i.e. Programs such as Medical Assistance/Medicaid, Elder Waiver, home improvement loans from cities and counties.

Originators should be familiar with how the reverse mortgage interacts with other programs. If they don’t find a different lender to originate your loan. You may not need this now, but you may in the future.

Does the Loan Officer/Reverse Mortgage Specialist/Advisor have the knowledge and experience with the requirements of the reverse mortgage if there is a power of attorney, guardian or conservator, a bankruptcy, Trust or Life Estate?

Originators should have knowledge of what the requirements are or you may start your loan but it may not make it through underwriting or be insured by HUD if your loan doesn’t meet their requirements.

Do they or the companies work with (mortgage company, underwriter, servicer, etc.) offer financial or insurance products in addition to the reverse mortgage? Are they trying to cross-sell (selling more than one product) during the origination of your reverse mortgage? Will you be contacted and offered other services such as financial or insurance products by them or the companies they work with after the loan is closed?

Cross-selling is not allowed. Originators should only specialize in reverse mortgages and not sell or encourage you to purchase other products. You are not required to purchase annuities, insurance or financial products with your reverse mortgage proceeds.

Are you treated with respect and dignity?

You, of course should be treated with respect and dignity. If you feel you are not, find a different lender.

Do they protect your privacy and confidentiality and not distribute personal financial information to any third party without permission from you?

To protect against identity theft you want to be assured that your information is private and kept confidential. Ask what their policies and procedures are.

Do they encourage you to discuss the loan transaction with family and/or trusted advisors?

Originators should encourage you and welcome talking with your family and/or trusted advisors about your decision to do the reverse mortgage.

When completing the application do they leave you copies of what you have signed and copies of the sample closing documents?

At the time of application or within three days, originators are required to leave you copies of what you signed including the calculations and Good Faith Estimate, two booklets, and samples of the closing documents. If you do not receive these, request them, if you have problems receiving them, change to a different lender.

Do they provide a list of FHA counselors without steering you to a particular one?

HUD does not allow a lender to steer or be involved in your choosing or receiving counseling.

Be cautious that you do not complete an application or give the lender the counseling certificate until you have made your final decision of the lender you are choosing. Once a lender has the counseling certificate they can obtain a FHA number and lock you into using them when they might not be your choice of lender.

Receive the answers to this list of questions so you'll be working with an originator who is experienced, knowledgeable, and fulfills and meets the industry's expectations and requirements.

Couple Happy With Their Reverse Mortgage

Couple Happy With Their Reverse Mortgage

You'll be happy with your
reverse mortgage if your
work with the right lender!

Information provided by
Prestige Mortgage LLC, Reverse Mortgages SIDAC
651-762-9648 or 1-877-590-9648 (toll free)